Hydraulic machine



June 6, 1939. G, c. WHISLER4 2,161,647

HYDRAULIC MACHINE Filed March l5, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. 1

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Gnome June 6, 1939. C, WH|SLER 2,161,647.

' HYDRAULIC MACHINE Filed Mroh 15, 195e a sheets-sheet 2 nven'tor GRANTC. WH ISLE R Gttorneg June 6, 1939. G. Q WHISLER 2,161,647

HYDRAULIC MACHINE Filed March l5, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 Inventor*GRANT C. WHISLER Bg v MAM (mmm June 6, 1939:

G. C. WHISLER HYDRAULl C MACHINE Filed March l5, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4illlllllih nventorl GRANT C. WH ISLER (Ittorneig June 6, 1939. G. c.wHlsLER HYDRAULIC MACHINE Filed March l5, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 SnventorG-RANT C. WHISLER (Ittorneg4 June 6, 1939. G. c; wHlsLER HYDRAULICMACHINE 8 Sheets-sheet e Filed Marh l5, I 1958- nnentor GRANT C. WH ISLER WM Yr.

June 6., 1939.

G. c, wHlsLER- 2,161,647

HYDRAULIC MACHINE Filed March 15, 1958 d e sheetssheet v Bnventor GRANTC. WH ISLER (ttorneg June 6, 1939. (3,4 C;l WHISLER 2,161,647

HYDRAULIC MACHINE Filed March 15, 1938 A s sheets-sheet e I 43- Fg. s

Snventor Gttorneg Patented June 6, 1939 unimo sry-rias ajsnci time. 15,193i,- senai No. nasse (ci,

'invention relates tov improvements hydraulic more particularly .thydrauiic turbines of the tree the; blades. of the riinn'er are to theirarmie- Y and the area of the Water opening threuglir the runner Ytocorrespond with the angle andorre ing of .the wicket gates or veneswhich; control the admission 4of water te :the

An object of the invention is :to nrovide improved adjustable bladehydraulle turbine .in

which the for opera ne the. blade actuating m of the runner as' .teaccessi-- bie for repair or wihout the acces- Another object of theinvention is to proyide an improved adjusts-hie blade hydraulic turbinein which the strait' .isormm with tWQ semicylindrical .sections are anddetachably connected together in such a, manner that the the runnershaft for Operatinsthe bl actuating means is. Supported from er; thesections: of the shaft. Y

Another object 0i the inyentionisto provide an improved shaft foradiastable 4blade hydraulic turbines inwhich means are provided forcirculating currents of airthroiigh the Shaft in order to preventoverheating runner blade operating mechanisniwithill the .Shaft- Theinventionconsists. in. novel sneeic details of construction. and e0.,titration of ele-v ments hereinafter .describen .and claimed.

In the f Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in seticitr;l of, ahydraillieturbine having,v a runner oi Athe adjustable b tyiie arid a1unn,` "'er shaft accor ng' to the present iavenn Fie. 2 is' an eiilasdvertical sect1 n `40I the 4o lower endo; the t thec'om struction o fthe, in rs. hut. .of the runner;

Figs. 3, 4 arid-5 iertl il enlarged scale'of the chais at the end of theruimer .shaft for operating the bladel adiiistie ir Fic. 6 is a'.,jorilzontal section taken vIri th lirlie 5Fl-5 3; f Y Fig. 'l is alioiiital ysettioi taken the line Eig; 9 is a detail side elevation ofthe' upper portion of the. runner shaftlnmy application for LettersPatent in theUnited'Sta-tes Patent Oce February 17, 1938, SerialfNo.-19h-095, for Hydraulic machine, now 5, Ratgnt Noi; 2;132,504, datedOctober 1-1, 1938, there is described and .claimed mechanism forcontrolling the operation .of the runner blades. The present inventionrelates to structure shown but not claimed in the abovereferredto prior1o patent appImation.V

Referring to the drawings, .and especially to Fig'. 1*; .thelmprovedhydraulic turbine comprises s easine Il which forms a peripheral waterinlet in which vare mounted series of mov- 1 able wicket gates `I-2landan annular series of statuirraryv cuide' venes i3, the snide variessurrounding the wicket gates.

Projecting from the wicket gates lf2., are shafts M whiohiare journalledin suitable bearings cargg ried by tire .casing Il and terminate asuitable distance thereabove.

The iifclget` gates |2- a-re adapted tor be rotated simultaneously intodiner-ent angular positions to. .control the ow of water into thehydraulic 25 turbine 4in a Well-known manner; and for this impose theupper ends of the shafts I4 are uilually proyided- Withgate operatingarms I5 which are fixed to said shafts, and operatively comlected toagate adi-iustine ring I6. 3o lhesetc afliusting ring; I6 is connectedby Il to ashaft |18 which is usually vertically as Shown at the right inFir.Y 1, the t8y loeing operatively .connected to a gov?. ernorxneohanisin` `(not shown) `operable by varia- 35 tions zin lead ontliegturleine The lower-I end ofthe easing Il forms an axially chamber2-.2 in which the runner 2 3 0perates,

AS KSICWVD 2, the hub of the runner 23 40 1S fixed,- to the lower end.of a hollow or tubular shaft v2li which extends upwardly through thetesine-ih iisilel marmer- ",lhiiper end of the ril-nner shaft 2 4 isconnetted te the lower end of a cylindrical casing 45 titille uliieremtQ f said casing being connected to the shaiti of electric generator 2,6which isy mounted iii silpeipos'ed position above the hydaiille tartine,ais shot/ii in Fis- 1.

,Arly suitalole type of setting may be used, a concrete setting 2 1being shown in the present ip sjillce- This setting forms a scroll case28 sufro ds the turbine inlet and is connested .to i water frorn a flumeor other siio of sup 1y.l portion f the setting 55 below the runnerforms a draft tube 29 into which the water is discharged. The electricgenerator 26 may rest on top of the setting as shown.

As shown in Fig. 2, a suitable number of blades 36 are rotatablysupported in the hub of the runner 23 and project radially therefrom.

The inner end of each blade 30 is formed with a trunnion 3| which isjournalledin bearings 32 and 33 supported in the hub. The constructionis such that the blades are rotatable into different angularrelationships with the axis of4 the runner.

Means are provided for simultaneously rotating all of the blades 30 andfor maintaining them in equal angular relationship, such meanscomprising preferably an arm 34 rigidly fixed on the trunnion 3| of eachblade and links 35 which pivotally connect each arm A34 to a cross head36. The cross head 36 is guided to reciprocate in a direction axially ofthe runner by guide pins 31 which are mounted in the hub of the runnerin the manner shown in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that the relative positions of the blades 30govern the area of the water passages or openings between the blades,and that when the blades are rotated, the area of the water passages isincreased or decreased depending upon the direction in which the bladesare moved.

As shown in Fig. 1, a cap 38 is bolted or otherwise removably secured tothe lower end of the hub of the runner 23. Since the hub of the runneris otherwise enclosed and the hub kis hollow, the cap 38 provides aclosed chamber or reservoir for containing a supply of grease forlubricating the various working parts of the mechanism contained withinthe hub of the runner.

In the usual construction of hydraulic turbines the runner shaft is madeof sufficient length so that said shaft can be bolted directly to thelower end of the generator shaft. However, in the present instance, theshaft 24 is made comparatively short so that the elongated cylindricalcasing 4|) can be interposed between the shaft 24 and the generatorshaft 25. The casing 4|] encloses elements, to be hereinafter described,for operating the runner blade mechanism within the hub of the runner23, and said casing is adapted to be bolted to the runner shaft 24 andto the generator shaft 25 and thereby constitute a rotary portion of themain shaft of the turbine. The casing 40 is composed oftwo verticallydivided semi-cylindrical sections |40 and |4|, which sections areadapted to be bolted together at intervals throughout their length, asindicated at |42 in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and '1.

The casing 40 is constructed in such a manner that the elementscontained therein can be mounted on one half or one section of thecasing so that the other half or section of the casing can be removedwithout dismantling any part of the turbine, the generator, shafts andmotor operating mechanism. In this way, inspection, adjustment andreplacement of the parts within the casing 46 can be readilyaccomplished in a minimum amount of time.

In the present instance the section |40 of the casing 40 will bereferred to as the mechanism carrying portion of said casing, and thesection |4| will be referred to as the cover.

Since openings are formed in the casing, these openings are also adaptedto be closed by covers or plates so that the exterior surface of thecasing will be smooth, as shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6, '7, 8 and 9, the outer wall of the casing isformed with a plurality of openings |43, so that the bolts |42 will beaccessible to a wrench or other tool.

Covering the openings |43, are plates |44 which are detachably securedto the outer wall of the casing 40 by means of screws |45 (see Figs. 6,'l and 9)..

rIheA upperportion of the" shaft 24 is enlarged, as indicated at 4|,Figs. 4 and 5. This enlarged portion of the shaft 24 is secured to thelower portion of both sections of the casing 46 by a plurality of bolts42, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7. The lower portion of the generatorshaft 25 is formed with a flange 43 which is secured to the upperportion of the casing 40 by bolts 44, as shown in Fig. 3.

In this way rotation of the runner shaft 24 will be transmitted to thegenerator shaft 25 by the casing 4U.

Disposed within the casing 40 is an electric motor 45 which is adapted,through mechanism to be hereinafter described, to operate the runnerblade adjusting4 mechanism in the hub of the runner 23.

Since the runner blades are adjusted by slowly moving thecross head 36either upwardly or downwardly, and since it is of advantage to employan. electric motor of standard design, which motors usually have acomparatively high speed, it is -necessary to provide means in themechanism which is employed to operatively connect the electric motorwith the cross head 35, for reducing the speed from the motorsufficiently to effect the desired slow movement of the cross head 36.

As shown in Fig. 2, the cross head 35 is bolted or otherwise xed to thelower 'end of an operating rod 46 which extends upwardly through thehollow runner shaft 24.

As shown in Fig. 5, the upper end of the rod 46 is xed to an internallythreaded sleeve 41 which is slidably mounted in the bore of the runnershaft 24.

Fitted to the sleeve 41 is a screw 48, which is connected to the drivenmember 49 of a speed reducer 50.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the speed reducer comprises a driving memberin the form of a shaft 5 I, and the driven member 49.

The driving member or shaft 5|, which is connected to theshaft 52 of themotor 45 by a coupling 53, has an eccentric 54 thereon which supports aball bearing or other anti-friction bearing 55.

The outer member or race of the ball bearing 55 is surrounded by aseries of radially disposed plungers 56. The inner ends of the plungers56 bear on the outer race of the bearing 55 and the outer ends of saidplungers are arranged to cooperate with teeth 51 formed concentricallywithin the outer or stationary member 56. Both ends of the plungers 56are bevelled, and the teeth 51 are bevelled.

The number of -teeth 51 differs from the number of plungers 55 so thatrotation of the eccentric 54 will cause the plungers 56 to be forcedoutwardly in succession around the circular series of teeth 51 and inconsequence will cause the plungers to creep around within thestationary meml ber 58.

The plungers 56 are guided to reciprocate in a nmember 59 which is fixedto the driven member 49 by pins 60 so that the creeping motion of saidplungers around the toothed interior of the stationary member' 5'8 willlbe transmitted to the driveni member 495. menen?- ef the driving F isthustransmitted to the' driven mem'- be'rde', but at a great reductionspeed ratio.`

The-speedj reducer 50 is rno'ulnt'edj between upper and lower supportingmembers j and 62, respectively, which are xedwithin' the casing 40- byboi'ts 83 attached` tothe enlarged' portion 4 I" ofA the runner shaft24), as slrow'n in* Figs. 4z and 8.

The upper porti-on' ofthe supporting member el is formed with a" flange|61, upon which is mounted a frange" ISZ or thev motores. 'Ilfre flangesP61 and |62' are' secured together by bolts |623,v as shown' in" Fig'.4.A In` this" way tn'e'Y motor 45 is supported' frcmitrreinain runner'shaft 2'4. s

iier and lewe-r' roller thrust bearings 614* and 65 are, respectively,provided for the speed le'- duc'er 5'0', and above the upper thrustbearing 64 there is a ball bearing 66. ings are adapted to carry theforces imposed on the operating rod 4B by the runner blades.

'I'he driving member of the speed reducer 50 is connected to thearmature or other rotating part (not shown) of the motor 45, so that thespeed reducer will be actuated by said motor.

Since the driven member 49 of the speed reducer 50 and the screw 48 aredirectly connected together, the rod 46 will be operated by the sleeve41 to effect changes in the angular positions of the runner blades.

For the purpose of indicating the relative positions of the runnerblades, at a convenient point the runner shaft 24 is formed with anelongated slot 68 (see Figs. 1 and 5).

Disposed Within the slot 68 is a pointed pin 69 which is xed to theupper portion of the operating rod 46. In the present instance the pin69 is shown as being carried by the sleeve 41.

As shown in Fig. 1 the exterior of the runner shaft 24 adjacent to theslot 68 carries suitable marks for indicating the several angles ofrunner blade positions, as determined by the position of the pointed pin69.

Preferably the electric motor 45 is a three-phase alternating currentinduction motor which is adapted to be supplied with electric currentfrom a main power line in such a manner that. the motor will operate ineither direction.

When the motor 45 operates in one direction the screw 48 will, throughthe sleeve 41, cause a rectilinear movement of the rod 46 in onedirection, and when the motor 45 operates in the other direction, therod 46 will be moved in the opposite direction, due to the reversedmovements imparted to the screw'48 by the motor.

As shown by the arrow, Fig. 2, when the rod 46 moves upwardly, therunner blades 30 are moved towards closed position, and when the rod 46moves downwardly in a direction opposite to the arrow, Fig. 2, therunner blades are moved toward open position. The mechanism forcontrolling the operation of the motor 45, which is shown and describedin detail in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,132,504, datedOctober 11, 1938, includes 4a selfsynchronous motor 1|.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 8, the motor 1| has a spur gear shaft 18carrying a gear 19 which is in meshing relationship with a gear 80 fixedto the shaft 52 of the motor 45.

The motor 1| is bolted or otherwise secured to the section |40 of thecasing 40, as indicated .at |46 in Figs. 3 and 6.

The casing 40 carries a plurality of collector rings 8| which areelectrically connected to the rotation* ofV the runner shaft isclock'-wise".l The roller thrust bearf motors 45? and 1F. The collector'rings'r arie', respectively', engaged by a plurality* of brushes |011,carried' by' .a bracket |109`- suspended*l from.' the generator 261 Thebrushes |01 turn` are conrn'ected to a' correspond-ing number of'electric conductors so that electricl current will be sup'- pli'ed tothe motors 45 and? 1|` in the manner dcscribed in detail" in'v my otherpatent application. heretofore referred to.

A'sshown1 in Figs.v 6, '1 and`=- 9", the casing 40' may have lower andupper inlet and outlet vent openiin'g's- I 41" and |478?, respectively,-formed." therein for inducing currents of airl toflow through' theAinterior of the casing when the runner isin` operation, so as to preventoverheating of the elemen-ts ofl the appara-tus witliin the' casing. InFig. 6` the arrow indicates thatA the directi'cnrry of.` As! shown inFig. '1, the wall |49 at the inlet vent opening 41 is so formed that,during rotation of the runner, yair will be directed by said walltowards the interior of the casing. As shown in Fig. 6, the wall |50 atthe outlet opening |48 is so formed as to permit the air to passoutwardly from the interior of the casing. Preferably the vent openings|41 and |48 are formed in the cover plate |44.

When it is desired to inspect or adjust the elements within the casing40, the cover plates |44 are first removed, thereby exposing the bolts|42. 'Ihe nuts of these bolts can next be removed from the threadedstems of the bolts so as to uncouple the cover section |4| from thesection |40 of the casing. The section |4| can then be removed and theparts will then have the appearance illustrated in Fig. 8, in which itwill be noted that the motors 45 and 1| and the Vspeed reducer 50 andassociated parts are readily accessible. f

As shown in Fig. 3, the collector rings 8| .are preferably mounted onvertically disposed bars 89 which are detachably connected `to the upperportion of the casing 40 by screws |5|. Only one bar 89 is shown, but itwill be understood that .a suitable number of these bars can be arrangedaround the casing 40 to rigidly support the collector rings.

When the parts of the runner shaft are being assembled and disassembledit is the practice to secure the bars 89 to the casing at the completionof the assembly operation and to detach the bars 89 from the casing 40at the beginning of the operation of disassembling the casing. When thebars 89 have been detached from the casing, the collector rings and thebars. can be moved upwardly a distance sufficient to expose the upperportion of the casing. For this reason the collector rings are not shownin Figs. 8 .and 9.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having blades movable into differentangular positions, mechanism within the hub of the runner for adjustingthe runner blades, a hollow runner shaft connected to the hub of therunner, a rod disposed within said shaft and operatively connected tothe runner blade adjusting mechanism within the hub of the runner, ahollow casing secured to the upper end of said runner shaft and havingtwo semi-cylindrical `vertically divided sections detachably connectedtogether, and mechanism disposed within said casing and mounted on onlyone of the sections thereof and operatively connected to said rod foroperating said rod.

lses

2. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having blades movable into differentangular positions, mechanism within the hub of the runner for movingsaid blades, a hollow runner shaft connected to the hub of the runner,said runner shaft comprising a casing having two semicylindricalvertically divided sections detachably connected together, and meanswithin said shaft connected to the runner blade operating mechanismwithin the hub of the runner for operating said mechanism, saidoperating means being supported solely by one section only of saidshaft, whereby the other section of said shaft can be removed withoutdisturbing the operating means Within the shaft.

3. In a hydraulic turbine, a runner having blades movable into differentangular positions,

mechanism within the hub of the runner for moving said blades, a hollowrunner shaft connected to the hub of the runner and having means mountedtherein and connected to the runner blade operating mechanism foractuating the same, said runner shaft being composed of two verticallydivided semi-cylindrical sections, bolts for detachably connecting thesections together, recesses formed in the shaft for said bolts, saidshaft having lower and upper inlet and outlet vent openings,respectively, formed therein, a plate covering said recesses and saidvent openings, and means formed on said plate and disposed within saidvent openings for directing currents of air towards the interior of saidshaft through one opening and outwardly of the shaft through the otheropening. l

GRANT C. WHISLER.

